By Anthony “Tony” from the Westbank | WhoDatNation.com
Well, Who Dat Nation, somebody get me a croissant and a cigar, because apparently we’re taking this show international! After three straight miserable weeks, our Saints finally gave us something to celebrate with that 34–27 win over the Giants. And more importantly, TONY FINALLY PICKED A WINNER! Now we’re heading to Paris to face the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first NFL regular-season game ever played in France. The Saints are 2–4, Pittsburgh is 4–2, and for the first time in weeks, I’m actually looking forward to Sunday morning. Of course, knowing this team, they’ll probably have me screaming at the television before I finish my first cup of coffee.
Now, let’s not get carried away. Yes, we beat the Giants. Yes, Tyler Shough accounted for four touchdowns. And yes, our running game finally showed signs of life. But let’s remember something: We nearly blew a 24-point lead! You don’t give up 17 unanswered fourth-quarter points and suddenly declare all your problems solved. Pittsburgh isn’t coming to Paris for sightseeing and a nice bottle of French wine. The Steelers have a tough defense, and running back Jaylen Warren is averaging 5.5 yards per carry. Our run defense has been getting pushed around all season, and if we don’t tackle better, Warren might spend more time running through our defense than tourists spend standing in line at the Eiffel Tower.
And what about our offensive line? Cesar Ruiz has missed practice, and that’s the last thing Tyler Shough needs against a physical Steelers defense. We’ve already watched what happens when Shough doesn’t have protection, and I have absolutely no desire to relive that Minnesota disaster. On the brighter side, Kaden Elliss is back in the conversation, and this defense needs every bit of help it can get. Pittsburgh is favored, but not by much. That tells me this isn’t some impossible mountain to climb. The Saints can win this football game if they protect the quarterback, establish the run, and stop giving up those ridiculous big plays. And for the love of everything black and gold, can we please play FOUR quarters this week?
I know there’s been some talk about protests and demonstrations surrounding the Paris game, but I’m not turning this into a political column. I hope everybody stays safe, the fans enjoy themselves, and the focus remains on football. This is a historic opportunity to show France what New Orleans Saints football and Who Dat Nation are all about. Imagine thousands of fans in black and gold yelling WHO DAT inside the Stade de France! And wouldn’t it be something if our Saints gave those fans a victory to remember? We’ve had enough embarrassment this season. Maybe a change of scenery, a little French atmosphere, and a win last Sunday are exactly what this team needs to get something going.
TONY’S PREDICTION: All right, I know what you’re thinking. Tony finally gets one prediction right, and now he’s going to start picking the Saints every week again. Well, you’re damn right! I’m not saying we’re going to dominate Pittsburgh. I’m not saying all our problems disappeared somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean. But I saw enough fight against the Giants to believe this team might finally be waking up. So I’m going with SAINTS 24, STEELERS 21! Call me crazy, call me stubborn, but I’m riding with the black and gold. Sunday, October 25, kickoff is 8:30 a.m. New Orleans time. Get your coffee ready, grab some breakfast, and settle in. And if the Saints win two straight, I might just have to trade my victory cigar for a bottle of champagne. VIVE LES SAINTS! WHO DAT!
— Anthony “Tony” from the Westbank
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